Tioga Road Administrative Access

Beginning today, Wednesday, June 2, 2010, Tioga Road is scheduled to be open for travel to all essential avalanche trained administrative traffic between Crane Flat and Tioga Pass. There is currently 1 signed, mandatory radio call through zone at Olmsted Point. All personnel entering the designated mandatory radio call through zone will contact another vehicle in their convoy (partner vehicle) prior to and when exiting the mandatory radio call through zone.

All authorized, avalanche trained, personnel entering the gate at Walker Party will contact the access coordinator or their designee. Ed Appling (radio #360) or his designee will be the access coordinator Monday through Wednesday. Bob Brantley (radio #261) or his designee will be the access coordinator Thursday thru Saturday. For Sunday, the access coordinator will be designated by the Tuolumne Subdistrict Ranger, Sally Sprouse (radio # Tango 1). Park dispatch will be informed of who is the designated access coordinator each day. Any authorized personnel should call in to the access coordinator by 8:00 AM from the point at which the road is gated on the west end and also when exiting the road at the gate on the west end.

Conditions may change. All employees passing through any Mandatory Radio Call Through Zone must monitor their radio all day and be prepared to leave the Tioga Road corridor if conditions change. All drivers should also expect to encounter bicycle traffic as the road is currently open to cyclists from Walker Party to Olmsted. Drivers should be aware of rocks which continuously slide onto the roadway during the melt. Blasting activity will be occurring at Olmsted on Wednesday June 2. The avalanche
team will reassess Olmsted on Thursday to determine if radio call through is still necessary. When Olmsted drops to a "no stopping zone", I will consult with roads personnel and advise the superintendent on possible dates the road could open to the public. At that point, a press release will go out through the PIO.